Device for packing fruit and the like



Jan 6, 11931. E, B, HIATT 1,787,941

DEVICE FOR PACKING FRUIT AND THE LIKE FiledFeb- '7, L925 2 Sheets-Sheet l Jan 6, 1931. H|ATT 1,787,941

DEVICE FOR PACKING FRUIT AND THE LIKE Filed F'eb. 7 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jail. e, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ENDS B. HLATT, OF IPALISADE, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR '.I.O THE CARPENTER-FLAT! SALES COMPANY, OF DENVER, COLORADO, A CORPORATION OF COLORADO DEVICE FOR PACKING FRUIT AND THE LIKE Application filed February 7, 1925. Serial No. 7,627.

This invention relates to devices for pack- 'ing fruit and the like and has relation'more particularly to a device to assure the proper placing of the top layer within a container. 3 It is also an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind having associated therewith a cushion sheet which is adapted to overlie the top layer of fruit or the like to afiord protection thereto and especially against the'applied lid.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this general character especially designed and adapted for use in connection with my invention as disclosed in pendin application Serial No. 740,280, filed Septem er 27 1924.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved device for packing fruit and the like whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein V Figure 1 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating a basket packed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention; I

Figure 2 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section illustrating a step employed in accordance with the present invention, the container proper being diagrammatically indicated by broken lines;

Figure 3 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating another step employed in connection with the invention as herein disclosed;

Fi re 4 is a view in top plan of the member Ediproperly forming the top layer of the contents of the permanent package;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken through the structure as illustrated in Figure 1;

Fi re 6 is a View in top plan of the cushion mem er or disc as shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a sectional view illustrating a further embodimentof my invention.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, C denotes a permanent container of a conventional type and which is adapted to have its top or open face closed by a lid L.

In packing fruit and the like in the container C, the member A is herein disclosed as having its upper face concave and rovided with a series 0 annularly dispose concentric grooves or channels 1. The marginal portion of the member A at a predetermined point substantially midway between its opposed faces is provided with an outstanding flange 2 to provide means whereby the member A may be grasped by the hands of an operator to facilitate its use. The fruit or the like such as apples, oranges, peaches, etc, are laid in these corrugations 1 whereby a firm basis is formed for the following layers.

A jacket B preferably of. pasteboard and of requisite dimensions is' seated within a jacket D, said jacket D being of suitable 75 material possessing the requisite strength. It is preferred that this jacket D be formed of sheet metal and having its opposite marginal portions outwardly turned to provide outstandin beads 3'to provide means whereby said jacfiet D may be readily manipulated as the digits of the hands may be readily engaged therewith. The assembled jackets B and D are then placed upon the member A with the outer jacket D supported by the flange 2 and with the upper end portion of the inner jacket B extending a desired distance above the adjacent end of the jacket D. The inner jacket B is then entirely filled with the fruit or the like which may be done in any convenient manner and without requiring any particular attention on the part of the operator.

The outer jacket D is then removed and the permanent container C is disposed over the jacket B wherebythe container G, jacket B together with the member A and the contents of the jacket B are inverted with the member A on top of the container C. The

member A is then removed and the lid L applied.

In packing fruit or the like in accordance with the invention hereinbefore described, means arev provided whereby the top layer of fruit may be placed in desired regular form or position and retained therein and in a manner whereby the contents of the container are protected from injur in transit as 'the Outer layer of fruit or the ike will have substantially perfect contact with the lid L.'- The jacket B within the container serves as a lining to protect the contents from injury as the result of direct contact with the inner wall of the container C and to further assure the efiiciency of the packed container I find it of advantage to provide said jacket 13 with the vent holes 4.

Before the layer of fruit or the like is placed upon the member A, I find it of particular importance to dispose over the concave face of said member the cushion plate or disc 5 formed ofrequisite material, said plate or disc 5 being provided with the corrugations 1 which snugly fit within the corrugations 1 of the member A, the peripheral portion of the plate or disc 5 being defined by the outstanding continuous flange 6.-

When the packing operation is completed as illustrated in Figure 1 and the lid L applied, the plate ordisc 5 has close contact with both the upper layer of fruit or the like and with the lid L whereby further means are provided to protect said upper layer of fruit. When the lid L is applied, the rim 7 thereof comes in contact with the flange 6 of the'plate or disc 5 and forces the same downwardly to a certain extent whereby the plate or disc 5 also protects the outer series of fruit from injury by the rim 7 of the applied lid. Such fruit is further protected by the upper projecting portion of the jacket or liner B.

-It is also to be noted that the opposite ends of the jackets B and D are open and that the jacket B, is of such dimensions as to fit substantially snug within the container C. Inthe embodiment of my invention as particularly illustrated in Figure 7, the concave face of the member A is smooth'and unob: structed and has positioned thereon a plate or disc 5 as hereinbefore described, thecorv rugations 1 of said plate or disc 5 serving effectually to provide for the-proper placing of what is to be the top layer of fruit in the container when finally packed.

It is to be understood that before the lid L is applied or upon removal of the member A, the plate or disc 5 is permitted to remain upon the top of thecontainer C and the contents thereof. 4 v While I have hereinbefore referred to the member 5 as a plate or disc it is also to be known by the trade term of pad.

thou ht to be obvious that a device for packing uit and the like constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also e obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from t e principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting, myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my ,inyention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim A fruit packing device consisting of a heavv rigid follower of circular disk formation having its lower surface concave, and its upper surface flat, the edge of the disk being marginally rabbetted and having a projecting crown.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signatur.

ENO S B. HIATT.

' -.-From. the foregoing descri ti it a 

